China Cotton Association criticizes US sanctions on textile firms

The China Cotton Association (CCA) has voiced strong opposition to the latest United States sanctions targeting Chinese cotton textile enterprises, calling the move an infringement on international trade principles and a threat to global cotton supply chains.

In a statement published on its official website on Aug 1, the association said it "firmly opposes" the US government's decision to add 43 Chinese enterprises, including cotton textile companies, to the Entity List under the so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act on July 31. The association described the action as the largest single expansion of the list since its establishment.

The association rejected allegations of so-called forced labor in China's cotton sector, saying the claims lacked factual and legal basis. It said the country's cotton industry has developed along a market-oriented and modernized path, with more than 90 percent of cotton in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region now harvested mechanically and the broader industry chain—from cultivation and harvesting to processing and spinning—highly automated and scaled.

"The labor rights of cotton farmers and industrial workers are strictly protected by Chinese law, and employment choices are entirely free," the association said, adding that the so-called forced labor does not exist in the industry.

The association accused the United States of applying a "presumption of guilt" to Chinese enterprises and of using human rights issues as a tool to restrict the development of China's cotton textile sector. It warned that such measures could disrupt the stability of global cotton and textile supply chains.

"Cotton is a global commodity operating within a highly internationalized supply chain," the statement said, arguing that the US restrictions would harm the legitimate interests of Chinese companies and create uncertainty for international trade.

The association said the country's cotton industry has the capacity to withstand external pressure, citing the country's comprehensive cotton and textile supply chain, large domestic consumer market, and expanding international market presence.

The association called on Chinese cotton and textile companies to strengthen cooperation, explore diversified markets, and improve supply chain resilience through technological advancement and high-quality production.

The association also reiterated its commitment to promoting the "China Cotton Sustainability Program", which focuses on environmental protection, product quality, labor rights, and traceability. The association said it would continue efforts to improve information disclosure and industry oversight to enhance transparency and promote sustainable development in China's cotton and textile sectors.

wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn